In the bustling urban environment of Gurugram, amidst towering glass structures and high-end hotels, two young women from the conflict-ridden state of Manipur quietly carve out their path to a better future. These two women, hailing from Chandel and Imphal, have found solace and opportunity in one of Gurugram’s premier five-star hotels, working as guest relations executives, far removed from the strife and unrest gripping their homeland.
Their journey to Gurugram began when the conflict in Manipur escalated, displacing families and disrupting livelihoods. Both women—let’s call them Maria (name changed to protect identity) from Chandel and Reena (name changed to protect identity) from Imphal— witnessed first-hand how the violence tore apart communities and created a sense of fear and uncertainty back home. But instead of succumbing to despair, they chose a path that many others in conflict zones find difficult to tread: the pursuit of stability, economic independence, and personal growth.
Maria, the older of the two, had worked in hospitality before. She had been employed in small hotels across Northeast India but saw her career progress interrupted as conflict broke out. Reena, on the other hand, had only recently completed her hospitality training when the unrest began, her dreams of building a career in Manipur stalled. Despite the challenges, both women made the difficult decision to move to Gurugram, leaving behind their families but carrying with them the hopes of their loved ones.
What brought Maria and Reena together at the hotel was not just the opportunity for employment but the shared goal of securing a future that seemed impossible to achieve in Manipur. The conflict, with its ethnic violence, blockades, and economic stagnation, had left few avenues for young people like them to advance.
Working at the luxury hotel in Gurugram is not just a job; it’s a lifeline. Both women have found a sense of stability here, earning enough to support their families back home and dreaming of future opportunities. The hospitality industry has provided them not only with financial security but also with the skills and exposure that could lead to career growth, whether in India or abroad.
While they long for peace in Manipur, Maria and Reena are acutely aware that returning to their home state under the current circumstances might jeopardize their dreams. For them, peace is not just the absence of violence, but also the presence of opportunities—something they feel is currently missing in Manipur. They hope that one day, the conflict will end and they can contribute to rebuilding their home, but until then, their focus is on ensuring the conflict does not dictate their future.
“Of course, we want peace. Every day, we pray that things will get better in Manipur,” says Maria, her voice tinged with hope and concern. “But we also know that we can’t wait forever. We have to work hard here to make sure we don’t fall behind.”
Reena echoes the sentiment, explaining how important it is for them to stay grounded. “The situation back home is heartbreaking, but we can’t let that stop us. We want to uplift our families, and this job is helping us do that. It’s giving us a chance to move forward.”
Their time in Gurugram has not been without its challenges. Adjusting to life in the fast-paced, often indifferent atmosphere of a large city like Gurugram has been tough, especially when their hearts are still tied to their homeland. Yet, they’ve found a support system in each other, and in the tight-knit Northeastern community in Delhi NCR, which has become a source of comfort and resilience.
The experiences of Maria and Reena reflect a larger story of the youth in Manipur. Many have left the state in search of stability and opportunity, forced to look beyond its borders for education, employment, and safety. The exodus of young talent from the state is both a sign of the deep socio-political challenges it faces and an indicator of the strength and resilience of its people.
Yet, the departure of young people like Maria and Reena also poses long-term concerns. With a significant portion of its youth working outside the state, Manipur risks losing the very generation that could help rebuild it once peace is restored. For now, however, these young people are focused on their personal survival and growth, contributing to their state from afar through remittances and a commitment to one day return and make a difference.
As Maria and Reena continue to work hard in Gurugram, they remain connected to their roots, following the news from Manipur with both hope and anxiety. They are cautiously optimistic that one day, peace will come, and with it, the opportunity to return home. But until then, their focus is on ensuring their socio-economic upliftment and securing a future that their conflict-ridden state cannot currently offer.
“We just want things to be normal again,” says Reena, a wistful look in her eyes. “But until that happens, we’ll keep working hard, here, for ourselves and our families.”
In their pursuit of stability and success, these two women embody the resilience and strength of a generation that refuses to be defined by conflict but instead seeks to build a future of hope and progress.
